News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1887-04-21
FARM AND GARDEN.
SeasonabIe Notes About Work ON
the Farm.



Wheat, oats and barley should be
sown as early as the soil is in good con-
dltlon, but not a day before. Procure
the best variety of seeds; but this will
not increase the crops, unless they are
properly fed. Modern farming has
use for fodder crops; consider which of
these are the best for your land, and the
kind of farming you follow. The best
use to make of much of our farmland, is
to put it into grass. At the ruling
price of hay, few other crops will pay as
well. Large areas on many farms can
be devoted to timber culture more pro-
fitably than to ordinary farm crops.
Growing trees and grass are problems
to which the farmer in the older States
may well give thoughtful study. Farmers
near manufacturing and other towns
cannot afford to devote their land to the
ordinary farm stock. 1t will pay them
to become farm gardeners and raise per-
ishable crops in demand in q near mar
| ket.
| LIVE Stock NOTES. -Curry-comb and
brush well applied are the best medi-
clnes to aid horses and cattle while they
are shedding their coats These, if ao-
companied by plenty of sound, whole
some food, will keep the animals in good
condition. See to the harness, and have
it SO well fitted that bruises and gals
viii not occur; look especially to the col
lars and have them fit the shoulders
well and keep clean. Look to the feet
of horses; those at work on soft ground
are better off if barefoot. Cows about
to come in, should be watched, and, as
their time approaches, reduce their food,
30 - -. IL
giving q plenty of good, sound hay. Save
only the best calves with which to keep
up the herd. Teach calves to feed from
the pail, from the first. Give ewes with
lambs an abundance OF food for the good
of both lamb and dam. If ticks are
troublesome, dip in tobacco water. Give
swine run in the orchard, and attend
to the comforts of the poultry, providing
dust baths, and variety of food.
ORCHARD AND FRUIT GABDEN.-Re-
pairing the damages of last winter de-
mands attention first. If mounds were
made around the base of trees to steady
them or to keep away mice, remove and
scatter them. Branches that were brok-
en- during the winter should be cut
near to the trunk, a smooth cut made,
and covered with grating wax or thick
paint. Grating old trees: If there are
any fairly healthy old trees on the place
which bear poor or Indifferent fruit,
graft them with good kinds In making
new head upon an old tree, graft but
one-third of the top at once, taking
three years to complete the job. If any
eggs of the tent caterpillar are seen,
cut off the twigs and burn them. In To-
calities where the canker- worms prevail,
Il, -.
and apply band of tar upon it, to be
renewed as often as needed. Cuttings
of grapevines, ounces, cuIrants, etc.,
that were kept through the winter,
should now be planted. Grapes
Every farmer should have an abundance;
plant vines against the buildings, along
fences, or elsewhere. Also plant straw
berries in abundance, as well as rasp-
berries, blackberries, currants, etc.
KITCHEN AND MARKET GARDEN
Hot-beds and cold frames need great
care in ventilating, now that the sun is
getting hotter. Neglect in opening the
sashes may ''cook" all the plants. Hap
py should be the family that has a good
asparagus bed; and where there is none,
one of the important things to be done
this spring is to make one. No better
can be made Sow beets,
carrots, parsnips, satisfy, onions and
spinach in rows fifteen inches apart.
Set out cabbage, caulifower and lettuce
plants from cold frames or hot-beds,
taking care that they are well hardened
off, as soon as the soil is fairly dry.
Sow the early OF round peas of the
"Early Kentish" kinds, very early, and
cover deeply. Cut pea-brush before the
leaves start, laying it upon a level place
and weighting it with logs, etc, that it
may become hattened OF fan-shaped.